FOXBORO — Almost an hour before taking the field Wednesday, Mike Vrabel revealed the Patriots planned to practice at a slower pace than they had during Tuesday’s initial minicamp practice.
He wasn’t kidding.
The Patriots did not run a single competitive drill during Wednesday’s practice. Instead, players and coaches installed red-zone plays at walking and jogging speeds, and sometimes without any opposition.
Drake Maye did throw passes to A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs. For a second straight day, Christian Gonzalez participated in every period excluding live 11-on-11 work. And all but three players were present once again.
But the afternoon ended with players pushing sleds in teams of six as a team-building exercise. Hardly a day of intense football work.
Instead, on-field insights were few and far between as the Patriots began to wrap up their spring ahead of a third and final minicamp practice Thursday.
Here are the Herald’s complete practice observations:
Attendance
Absent: OT Morgan Moses, OLB Harold Landry, OLB Gabe Jacas
Limited: N/A
Notes: Christian Gonzalez was a full participant, a change from Tuesday when he sat out the most intense and competitive periods. He started at one cornerback spot opposite Carlton Davis, who was also limited Tuesday but took some live 11-on-11 reps.
Moses missed another minicamp practice as the team manages his workload entering his age-35 season. Landry continues to sit out as he recovers from knee surgery. Jacas, the team’s second-round pick, remains without a contract and recently underwent “a procedure,” according to Mike Vrabel.
Offensive notes
Top targets in team drills: N/A
Drops: N/A
Top offensive line: LT Will Campbell, LG Alijah Vera-Tucker, C Jared Wilson, RG Mike Onwenu, RT Caleb Lomu
Drake Maye opened his first two team periods alongside new receivers A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs, an obvious yet real signal the Patriots intend to feature both in their offense. In the first period, Mack Hollins was Maye’s third receiver, which moved Doubs into the slot, and in the latter period, DeMario Douglas became the No. 3 receiver and replaced Doubs inside.
The Patriots have shuffled their personnel constantly at receiver, although a pecking order in passing situations has become relatively clear: Brown, Doubs, Douglas or Kayshon Boutte and Hollins.
Former third-round pick Kyle Williams has taken most of his minicamp snaps with the second-team offense. He did not practice with the top group Wednesday.
At running back, veteran Terrell Jennings followed Rhamondre Steveson and TreVeyeon Henderson with the top group. Though, of the backs vying for the open No. 3 job, only Lan Larison had a catch on Tuesday.
Before practice, coach Mike Vrabel admitted the Patriots would likely explore adding a tight end. Hunter Henry remains the team’s clear-cut No. 1 option, followed by some combination of third-round rookie Eli Raridon, holdover Jack Westover and a collection of current or former undrafted rookies.
Up front, first-round rookie Caleb Lomu started again at right tackle in place of Morgan Moses. After starting at right tackle, Lomu flipped to the left side as Will Campbell’s top backup when the Patriots shuffled their O-line personnel with Maye still on the field.
Ben Brown projects to be the Patriots’ top backup at left guard and center, while 2024 third-round pick Caedan Wallace continues to drill as the second-team right guard.
Defensive notes
Outside linebacker Elijah Ponder, an undrafted rookie who had four sacks last year, started again as Harold Landry’s injury replacement. Ponder’s spot as the Patriots’ No. 3 OLB (behind Landry and Dre’Mont Jones) figures to be safe, pending Gabe Jacas’ availability.
Perhaps thanks to Landry’s and Jacas’ absences, Bradyn Swinson, a 2025 fifth-round pick, joined the top defense for team drills. Swinson spent last season on the practice squad.
Defensive tackles Milton Williams and Christian Barmore formed the center of the Patriots’ starting defensive front, as expected, with Cory Durden and Leonard Taylor as their top backups.
At inside linebacker, K.J. Britt and former Jaguars third-round pick Chad Muma are first up behind Robert Spillane and Christian Elliss.
Fifth-round rookie Karon Prunty, whose selection was widely panned as a reach, is getting a real opportunity. He took outside cornerback reps after Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis, while Marcus Jones manned his usual nickelback spot.
Extra points
The Patriots will hold their final minicamp practice Thursday at 1:05 p.m. All minicamp practices are closed to the public.
Mike Vrabel and the Patriots’ defensive assistant coaches are expected to speak with reporters before practice, while A.J. Brown and Christian Barmore are among a group of players scheduled to speak afterward.